Vintage Merckx circa 1980/1981
 

Hi there-

I'm trying to see what my 1980/1981 Merckx is worth. I've sent the serial number in to the company so I'll have that information soon, but I know it was either 80 or 81 because I bought it myself and I've been the only owner.

I'm selling it as a package with an original Merckx wool jersey, the original brochure that came with the bike, and a Merckx duffel bag from the same year. I have a website with pictures on it here:

https://sites.google.com/site/vintagemerckx8081/

The bike is in fair condition. It would definitely need to be refinished. It has all of the original campagnolo parts. The fork is from the 80s as well but was replaced from the original because it cracked.

This is one of the first Merckx bikes sold. I'm trying to find out what something like this is worth as a whole package to a collector. If anybody is an interested buyer, please let me know as well.

No pics at your link......

No pictures are loading for me on the website...

Also this will probably get moved to the appraisals forum.

Thank you I didn't know there was an appraisals forum. I'll try there. Try the link again, they're coming up for me, I think I hadn't saved it earlier...
I'm including a pic of just the bike here...
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=198688

E 3458 on BB.

Seatstay caps have Eddy Merckx "EM"

Sorry also has

A
3
vertically on other side of BB

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=198703
Shot of the hi-lo campy flange.

The brochure I have shows the script you're talking about on the seatstay caps.

I'm not a collector but I'd be interested if it's a 54 or 55. Do you have a photo of the brake bridge and the cable routing at the bottom bracket?

Thank you for your assessment of the bike. I was wondering what the value of the whole package is with the brochure, jersey, and duffel bag going along with it. Anybody? I hope the link is working now...?

It's a 53. Here are the pictures you requested:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=198709http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=198710http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=198711

I don't think the portacatenta is that much of an anomaly, all of the bikes in the brochure I have have it, except the track model. Maybe it's just 1981 and prior?

Not much more than OFG's assessment. After all, those perks are relatively minimal substitutions for the original fork.

-Kurt

this is the best part!!

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...3&d=1303354051

The very early Merck frames all have frame numbers under 1000 mostly with no prefix letter with the earliest I have seen been just under 400. The seat stay caps can even with these early ones be either the signature or the company logo. My late 1980/81 is numbered E331 and is only of the earlier ones with the E prefix numbers – yours with a number well over 3000 would be well into 1981 I think. The signature seatstay caps overlapped for a year or two I think with company logo caps. I suspect the E logo numbers start when production was properly established – the earlier frames with no prefix are not at all consistent in their features.

Thanks for everyone's advice. I'll be posting it up soon on ebay so if anyone is interested you can take a look. It's worth quite a bit to me although perhaps it's worth more to someone else! (As bianchigirll alluded to, some people would pay big money just to get their hands on that flange!). If it doesn't go up there it's no biggie, I'm excited to see it restored myself!